Clock with ringing mechanism



May 3, 1932.

A H. MlLLER CLOCK WITH RINGING MECHANISM Filed May -23 2 Sheets-Sheet ly 1932- A. H. MILLER 1,856,496

CLOCK WITH RINGING MECHANISM Filed May 23, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOCK WITH RING-INGMECHANISM Application filed May 23, 1929. Serial No. 365,382.

This invention relates to a program clock mechanism. Program clocks arenow used in schools, factories and. other places where it is desired tohave signals sounded or given at certain intervals. It is desirable insuch a mechanism to have a structure that is easily accessible inrelation to a standard clock, one which is simple and requires littleattention. It is an object of this invention to provide a very simpleand efficient program clock mechanism which is easily installed inconnection with a standard clock and is in a very accessible position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a program clockmechanism comprisin a sprocket Wheel preferably driven from the minutehand spindle of the clock, a. flexible member running over said sprocketand carrying spaced contact members which are engaged by a contact armto close an electrical circuit.

It is more specifically an object of the invention to provide a programclock structure mounted on a panel in the rear of the f clock having asprocket Wheel secured to the minute hand spindle, a plurality of othersprocket wheels mounted on said panel substantially in the same plane assaid first mentioned sprocket wheel, a chain running over said sprocketwheels and driven by said first mentioned wheel, said chain havingcontact members thereon, and one or more contact arms adapted to engagesaid contact members to close the electrical circuits which operate thesignals.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fullyset forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views, and in which r Fig- 1 is aview in front elevation of the mechanismshowing the same mounted on apanel in the rear of a clock;

F ig. 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. l, as indicated bythe arrows;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1, shown on an enlarged scale,and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the chain and contact members used.

Referring to the drawings, a clock is shown mounted in a casing 10 ofbox-like form, which clock is of the standard pendulum type. Casing 10has a rear side or panel 10a and the same is shown as having a door 10?)at its front mounted on hinges 11 and adapted to be held closed by ahook and eyelet 12. The usual clock mechanism is carried in a frame 13,of which mechanism it will only be necessary to consider the minute handspindle 14. The hour hand 15 is shown, as is also the minute hand 16. Adoor 17, comprising a shallow casing is mounted in the rear of the clockon hinges 1S and adapted to be held in closed position by a hook andeyelet 19. A plate is secured by suitable small screws 21 to the rear ofpanel 10a, which plate preferably will be made of some nonin'f'lammablematerial of an insulating type, such as hard fibre. The minute handspindle. 14: extends through an aperture in panel 10a and has, in therear of plate 20, a sprocket wheel'22 rigidly secured thereto by a setscrew 23. While this sprocket wheel could be varied in size and havedifi'erent numbers of teeth thereon, in the embodiment of the inventionillustrated, said wheel is shown as having 2d teeth. A flexible member24, which in the embodiment of the invention illustrated is shown as aflat-linked chain is provided and runs over sprocket 22, the links ofsaid chain fitting over the teeth of said sprocket. The teeth onsprocket 22 are spaced so as to engage every other link of chain 24, asclearly shown in Fig. 5. A plurality of other sprocket wheels 25 arejournaled on pins 26 mounted in plates 27 secured to rear panel a bysmall screws, said sprockets being substantially in the same plane assprocket 22. lVhile the disposition of sprockets 25 could be varied, inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as placedsubstantially at the upper and lower corners of panel 10a. The sprockets25 are held on the pins 26 by the cotter pins 28. The chain 24 is closedor end less and runs continuously over the sprockets 22 and 25. Thechain 24 has mounted therein at suitable intervals contact, members 29.While the form of these members may be varied, in the embodimentof theinvention illustrated they are shown as small cylindrical pins havingspaced reduced portions disposed in the eyelets formed by the links ofchain 24. The sprocket 22 as shown in Fig. 3 comprises a central toothedmetallic disk 22a, to which are attached the spaced supporting disks 225having cylindrical peripheries the same being secured to disk 22a by aplurality of small headed and nutted bolts 220 which pass throughspacing thimbles 22d at each side of disk 22a. T he outer end of theminute hand spindle 14 is journalcd and supported inangular bracket 30secured at its lower end to panel 100..

A block 31 is secured to panel 10a above plate 20 and has securedthereto an insulating block 32. Block 32 has secured to each sidethereof small metal plates 33 and stop arms or brackets 34 are securedto the plates 33 by small headed screws 35 having washers 36 disposedbetween their heads and the brackets 34. Screws 35 pass throughelongated vertically disposed slots 34a in brackets 34 so that the samemay be adjusted vertically and held in different vertical positions.Brackets 34 have their lower ends twisted at a right angle and curvedlaterally to form a lip 34?). Brackets 37 are secured at each side ofblock 32 adjacent one end thereof and have the lower ends outturned,said ends having secured thereto one end respectively of spring arms 38.The other end of said arms have secured thereto a small U shaped clip orbracket 39 having a depending portion 39a forming a contact member.These portions 39a. are disposed directly above the axis of sprocket 22and are attached to be engaged by the contact members or pins 29 as theymove over the sprocket. Clip 39 has secured between its sides and end bya rivet 40 a fibre or insulating segment 41 having a lip 41a at itsouter end adapted to be engaged by the curved lip 34?) at the bottom ofthe brackets 34, said lip forming a stop for member 41 and arm 38. Itwill be understood that the arms 38 are separate and the contact members39a separately engage the contact members or pins 29. The brackets 37will have suitable electrical conductors 42 respectively connectedthereto which will extend to binding posts 43, shown as mounted on topof the clock.

Most of the program clocks are used where a program of signals is onlydesired during the day time. In the present structure means is providedfor opening the circuit which operates the signals during the nighttime. This comprises a shaft 44 journaled in a bracket 45 extending fromone side of the clock frame 13 and supported on a block 100 secured tothe inner side of panel 10a. This shaft 44 has secured to its front enda ratchet-- toothed disk 46. An arm 47 is provided having a hubembracing the hour hand sleeve and secured thereto by a small set screw48, said arm having at its other end a laterally projecting pin 47aextending into line with the teeth of ratchet 46. Shaft 44 extendsthrough an aperture in panel 10a and through a plate 49 secured to therear of panel 10a in which plate it is journaled. A disk 50 comprisingone member of a switch is secured to the outer end of shaft 44. Disk 50as shown in Fig. 4 is made of fibre or other suitable insulatingmaterial at its outer portion and has secured to its sides and extendingover its edge spaced metallic clips 51, the same being secured to thedisk by small screws extending therethrough and into the centralmetallic part of the disk. As shown in Fig. 4, segments 51 are thus inelectrical communication with shaft 44. Segments 51 are made flat attheir outer sides or with their surfaces in a plane. An arm 52 has itslower end bent into triangular shape to form a point or ridge adapted toengage members 51, said arm having a flange 52a at its upper end securedby suitable screws to the rear of panel 10a. A conductor 53 is securedto arm 52 and extends to a suitable binding post 54, shown as mounted ontop of the clock casing 10. A plate 10d is secured to the door or casing17 having holes 106 therethrongh with slots projecting upwardlytherefrom and forms a supporting plate for the clock whereby it may behung upon suitable screws or other supporting means.

In Fig. 4 a wiring diagram for the mechanism is shown comprising abattery 55 having a conductor 56 extending therefrom to the binding post54, another conductor 57 extending from the other side of the battery toa signal device such as an alarm bell 58. A conductor 59 extends fromthe other terminal of hell 58 to one of the binding posts 43. Aconductor 60 extends from conductor 57 to a second device shown as frame13 which is in electrical connection with spindle 14, said bracket alsobeing electrically connected to shaft 44.

In operation the minute hand spindle 14 of the clock will be driven bythe clock mechanism in the usual manner and this will turn sprocketwheel 22. Assuming it to be day t11ne, sw-1tch arm 52 15 in engagementwith one *of the metallic segments or contact members 51. Arms 38normally spring downward and are held in a certain position by the lips41a engaging the lips 34?). As many pins 29 may be placed in the chainas desired and if a pin is placed in every other link, one of the pinswill pass under the contact means 39a every two and one-half minutes. Asthe pin is carried over the sprocket 22 it rides on the edges of thedisks 22b and as stated, comes under the contact means 39a. The pins arethus firmly supported and a firm and positive contact is secured. Thepin riding under the contact raises arms 38 slightly as shown in Figs. 1and 5. The circuit is closed when members 39a and 29 engage, asillustrated in Fig. 4 and the bells 58 and 61 will be sounded. It may bepointed out that the circuit for ringing the bells will extend frombattery 55 through conductors 57 and 60 to the bells 58 and 61 and fromthe bells to the bind ing post 43. From the binding post 43 the circuitextends through conductors 42 to arms 38 and to contact means 39a. Thecontact means 89a engages the pins or contact members 29 which engagethe chain 24 which is engaged by the teeth on the central metallicportion 22a of sprocket 22. 'The circuit thus extends through saidportion 22a to shaft 14, thence into the clock frame or mechanism 13 tobracket 45, through said bracket to shaft 44, from shaft 44 through disk50 and contact members 51 to switch arm 52. From switch arm 52 thecircuit passes through conductors 53 and 56 to the other side of battery55. The members 51 are made fiat at their outer sides so that they willtend to remain in position with switch arm 52 engaging the centralportion thereof. It will be seen that the mecha nism described isarranged for a double program, two sets of bells being controlled. It isobvious that the pins 29 could be made so as to project at only one sideof chain 4 and one arm 88, with its attendant mechanism be used so thata single program would be provided. Likewise, more chains 24 and contactmeans could be provided to control more than two programs.

The arm 47 or the hour hand sleeve makes a revolution every twelvehours. This arm is usually arranged to engage the ratchet 46 at six a.m. and sixp. m. Said arm moves the ratchet wheel 46 the distance of onetooth and the disk 50 will be turned at six p. m. to place switch arm 52in contact with the portion of the disk between the contact members Thecircuit will thus be opened and remain open until six a. in, when theratchet disk 46 will again be operated and switch arm 52 brought intoengagement with one of the contact segments 51 if present and the devicewill then be in a position to operate for the next twelve hours. In Fig.4 switch disk 50 is shown as having five members 51 with two missing.lVith this arrangement the circuit would be open from Friday 6 p. 111.until Monday at 6 a. m., an arrangement suitable for many schools.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a verysimple and yet very efiicient structure for program ringing by means ofa clock. The device iseasily attached to a standard clock and comprisesrelatively few parts. The mechanism is very accessible, it merely beingnecessary to open the hook fastener 19 and swing the clock forward aboutthe hinges 18. The mechanism is then exposed. The device has been amplydemonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful andeflicient.

It will, of course, be understood that vari- T ous changes may be madein the form, details, proportions and arrangement of the parts, withoutdeparting from the scope of applicants invention, which, generallystated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects aboveset forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed anddefined in the appended claims.

hat is claimed is 1. The combination with a clock including an hour handand a minute hand, of a program clock structure including a rotatablemeans fixed upon the spindle of the minute hand of said clock, aflexible member passing over said rotatable means and driven thereby,two sets of contact members carried by said flexible member andprojecting at the sides thereof respectively, and a contact arm carryingtwo contact members positioned to be engaged respectively by-saidcontact members of said sets for controlling two programs.

2. A program clock having in combination with the minute hand spindle ofa clock, a support, a sprocket wheel rigidly secured to said spindle, aplurality of sprockets rotatably mounted on said support and dis osedsubstantially in the same plane as sai first mentioned sprocket, anendless chain moving over said sprockets, and driven by said firstmentioned sprocket, two sets of contact members carried by said chainand projecting respectively at the sides thereof, contact membersdisposed above said first mentioned sprocket for engagement respectivelywith said first mentioned contact members, means urging said lattermembers toward said sprocket, means for holding said members thereto indifferent positions, said latter members being arranged to be engagedrespectively by said contact members on said chain to close anelectrical circuit whereby two programs can be signalled.

3. A program clock structure having in combination with a clock casinghaving a panel at its rear side, a sprocket mounted on the rear side ofsaid panel and secured to the minute hand spindle of said clock, aplurality of spaced sprockets mounted. on said panel for free rotation,an endless chain passing over all of said sprockets and driven by saidfirst mentioned sprocket, two sets of pins secured to said chain andprojecting laterally therefrom respectively adapted to pass between theteeth of said first mentioned sprocket, a resilient arm mounted adjacentsaid sprocket, two contact means carried by said arm and resilientlyurged toward said sprocket in position to be engaged by said pins ofeach of said sets as they pass over said sprocket, and an electricalcircuit adapted to be closed by engagement of said pins and contactmeans whereby two programs can be signalled by said sets of pins.

4. A program clock structure having in combination with the minute handspindle of a clock, a sprocket rigidly secured to said spindle,comprising a central metallic toothed disk secured to said spindle,annular disks supporting contact pins disposed at each side of saidfirst mentioned disk and secured thereto having circular peripheries ofapproximately the same diameter as the diameter of said sprocket, achain passing over and driven by said sprocket, contact pins carried bysaid chain and projecting at the sides thereof adapted to ride on theperiphery of said disks as said chain passes over said sprocket and besupported thereby and contact means disposed adjacent said sprocket andresiliently urged toward the same, positioned to be engaged by said pinsas said pins pass over said sprocket.

5. A program clock structure having in combinationwith the minute handspindle of a clock, a sprocket rigidly secured to said spindlecomprising a central metallic toothed disk secured to said spindle, anannular disk secured at one side of said central disk and spacedtherefrom, a chain running over said sprocket and driven thereby, pinssecured to said chain and projecting at one side thereof, said pinsriding on the periphery of said insulating disk and supported thereby,as said chain passes over said sprocket, a contact means disposedadjacent said sprocket and resiliently urged toward the same, positionedto engage the projecting portions of said pins as said chain'passes oversaid sprocket.

6. The combination with a clock including an hour hand, a minute handand a minute hand spindle, of a sprocket wheel rigidly secured to saidminute hand spindle, resilient arms extending substantially tangentiallyof said sprocket, a member carried by each arm

